What's the closest thing then? Waffles? Do Europeans eat anything that is similar to American pancake for breakfast? Something that requires butter and syrup? The name of the chain, International House of Pancakes.... implies that pancakes are loved the world over. What is it about pancakes that doesn't appeal to the Euro-palette?

In Russia, they prepare thin pancakes called bliny. They eat them with stuff like fresh berries and sour cream, or red caviar and sour cream. Yummy! The whole mindset towards food is different over there. I was married to a Russian woman for about 6 years. When she came here she would only eat organic foods and meals made from scratch. Unfortunately, I had to do most of the cooking. I'm kinda poor now and as a bachelor now I've fell back into my American ways a little, but I much more aware now. The thing is, these fast food places have healthy choices, but the healthier food is a lot more costly. As a side note, I was surprised to see a Pizza Hut in Moscow, and they didn't serve Diet Pepsi, they served Pepsi Lite. Interesting, but that was like 10 years ago.

The best pancake chain I've experienced in the U.S. is the Original Pancake House. We have one in suburban Detroit that I visit a few times a year. http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

They serve the lemon and sugar variety. It's a huge portion that fills a dinner plate and they call it the Dutch Baby. It's not a pancake in the traditional sense, but it's awesome.

8mile i've been there the place is awesome everything is homemade, the orange juice is fresh-squeezed, the blueberry syrup has blueberries in it, great coffee whats not to like the only think they don't. have is Steak & Eggs i've asked..lol

If you're in the metro-detroit area I highly recommend it but get there early because there is usually a line.

I've not come across that O.o? Where have you see Coke Light? In the UK and Italy (when I was there a few years back) it's definitely Diet Coke.

I don't know about the UK ( I will find out this summer) but in Italy is definitely Coke Light. I've had friends ordering "Diet Coke" and the waiter pauses...awkward silence..then they say, Oh! Coke Light?

It could also be depending on the region. I've been to Napoli and Civitavecchia 90mins outside Rome) and it's Coke Light.

But I digress. We're talking pancakes here! Maybe I will go to AHOP...since the "I" is a misnomer, and I will let the people there know. Nothing like being pretentious for pretentiousness' sake...

But I digress. We're talking pancakes here! Maybe I will go to AHOP...since the "I" is a misnomer, and I will let the people there know. Nothing like being pretentious for pretentiousness' sake...

Well, it's been established that IHOP exists in Canada and Mexico, as well as the US. So technically, they're international. Although they are definitely trying to give the impression of being truly global, a company only needs to have a presence in two countries to be international :-)

I don't think there's anything about pancakes that doesn't appeal to us, but with the exception of the UK the trend in Europe seems to be to avoid heavy breakfasts. I like American style pancakes, but I don't understand how you guys can stomach it in the morning; it just seems too rich to me. Doesn't it make you want to just lie down and go back to sleep instead of giving you the energy needed to start the day? To me it would make a lot more sense as lunch or even dinner or supper.

We'll make that sort of stuff for dinner on occasion but I agree somewhat on the pancake thing...if I'm not going out to do some serious work a big heavy breakfast like that puts me in a food coma and I'm useless for a couple hours on the weekends. During the work week it's very very light with some coffee.

Well, it's been established that IHOP exists in Canada and Mexico, as well as the US. So technically, they're international. Although they are definitely trying to give the impression of being truly global, a company only needs to have a presence in two countries to be international :-)

Actually the only impression they are trying to give is the one previously stated.

"The original concept was a restaurant which featured various types of pancakes and similar foods such as crepes and blintzes from all over the world, offered at affordable prices."

8mile i've been there the place is awesome everything is homemade, the orange juice is fresh-squeezed, the blueberry syrup has blueberries in it, great coffee whats not to like the only think they don't. have is Steak & Eggs i've asked..lol

If you're in the metro-detroit area I highly recommend it but get there early because there is usually a line.

Bonzolead

Oh, yeah. It is terrific. It's worth going there just to get a side of their thick-cut bacon or sausage links. The baked omelettes, all puffy and delicious, are awesome, too.

My experience in traveling around Europe is that the American notion of "breakfast" is unique to the States. The funny thing is eating at European hotels that are accustomed to having lots of American tourists. The hotels clearly are trying to figure out how to make the kind of breakfast an American tourist would eat, but they come up with something that's... not quite it.